Bridge (Master of Science in Accounting)
Develop the Foundation to Pursue a Master of Science in Accounting Degree
Grand Canyon University's (GCU) Bridge (Master of Science in Accounting) program is designed for students with an approved bachelor’s degree in a business field other than accounting who aspire to an advanced career in corporate or public accounting. Offered by the Colangelo College of Business, this bridge to a graduate degree in accounting provides you with the skills and knowledge required before exploring coursework in accounting, finance, taxation, auditing and management. This accelerated path to learning offers a robust foundation fostering ethical practices by accountants bound to the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act.
What You Will Learn
The total requirements for this bridge program is 24 credits. The curriculum introduces you to the accounting cycle and construction of financial statements. Examine fundamental principles and practices of financial accounting as outlined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The curriculum continues into an in-depth study of:
- Managerial accounting
- Intermediate accounting (accounting objectives, principles, theory and practice as related to the balance sheet and income statement)
- Taxation and auditing
Your Next Degree
GCU's Master of Science in Accounting is a comprehensive graduate MSA degree program designed to prepare you for your Uniform CPA Examination. You will examine a broad range of accounting topics and principles, including financial research and compliance, accounting information systems, advanced managerial and cost accounting, and business law and ethics for accounting.
Successful completion of the Uniform CPA Exam is required for achieving a CPA license from your state of residence or practice. In our unique MS in accounting degree program, two capstone courses are devoted to exam preparation. We strongly encourage you to sit for the test soon after graduation to maximize your potential for success.
Upon completion of this accounting program, you will have the preparation to move forward to develop the career readiness for advanced management positions in corporate or public accounting. Potential career opportunities as a graduate of the Master of Science in Accounting degree program include chief financial officer, VP of accounting, staff accountant, senior accountant, accounting manager, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or business executive.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the accounting cycle and the construction of financial statements. Students explore the fundamental principles and practices of financial accounting as outlined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); the steps in the accounting cycle from journalizing transactions through the preparation of financial statements; and the use and interpretation of the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. Prerequisite: MAT-134, MAT-144 or MAT-154.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the use of managerial accounting data in the decision-making process. Topics include the use of cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis and relevant costs in decision making, using budgets and the balanced scorecard to evaluate performance, methods for setting prices of products and services, and analyzing capital investment opportunities. Prerequisite: ACC-250.
Course Description
This course is an in-depth study of accounting objectives, principles, theory, and practice as related to the balance sheet and income statement. Students will explore accounting for assets, liabilities, and equity items, the specific rules for accounting for pensions, postretirement benefits, leases, and accounting changes, and other items frequently addressed on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination (Uniform CPA Exam). Prerequisite: ACC-350.
Course Description
This course is an in-depth study of accounting objectives, principles, theory, and practice as related to the balance sheet and income statement. Students explore liabilities and equity items; the specific rules for accounting for pensions; postretirement benefits, leases, and accounting changes; and other items frequently addressed on the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination (Uniform CPA Exam). This course also includes an analysis and interpretation of a firm's three principal financial statements and their uses from a managerial perspective. Prerequisite: ACC-370.
Course Description
This course provides a study of the theory and practices of accounting for income taxes of corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, and individuals. Other taxes covered include payroll and sales taxes. Prerequisite: ACC-250.
Course Description
Auditing is an examination of generally accepted auditing standards, procedures involved in the auditing process, and ethical issues faced by the auditor. Through class discussions, practical applications and case studies, students learn the responsibilities of the independent public auditor in the expression of opinion within the guidelines set by the AICPA’s Code of Professional Ethics. Topics include the nature and types of audits, auditor responsibilities and legal liabilities, audit reports, auditing procedures, ethical issues, contemporary issues in auditing, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Prerequisite: ACC-350.
Program Locations
Online
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.